Riyadh Royal Commission to boost metro fleet with 94 new trains

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced the signing of contracts to purchase and manufacture 94 new trains, as part of efforts to enhance the Riyadh Metro fleet in the first phase of the capital’s public transport development plans.

This initiative aims to prepare for the anticipated increase in mobility across Riyadh and to meet the city’s evolving needs in the coming years. The total number of trains will rise from 183 to 277, with deliveries of the new trains scheduled in batches starting from 2028.

Network capacity to increase

The commission stated that the new trains will boost the overall capacity of the Riyadh Metro network by 57 percent, with additional capacity allocated to lines based on passenger volume and projected demand. Capacity on the Red Line will increase by 142 percent, the Yellow Line by 116 percent, and the Blue Line by 57 percent. The Orange and Purple lines will see increases of 27 percent and 16 percent, respectively.

The Riyadh Metro network was originally designed to accommodate a larger number of trains and to allow for gradual expansion of operational capacity as usage grows.

Preparing for population growth and global events

The commission’s report noted that the Riyadh Metro has recorded around 275 million passenger journeys since December 2024, with average monthly ridership in 2026 up by about 25 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

The fleet expansion is part of preparations for expected growth in mobility as Riyadh continues to expand and develop new destinations and projects, and as it prepares to host major international events, including Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Contract execution and suppliers

German company Siemens and French firm Alstom will manufacture and supply the new trains under contracts worth more than $5 billion. The agreements cover train manufacturing, systems and equipment, maintenance, training, and other technical and operational requirements.

The new trains will be delivered in phases according to the production schedule, then undergo testing and trial operations before being gradually introduced into service as each batch is ready.

This investment is part of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s broader efforts to develop the capital’s transport system by enhancing public transit and improving infrastructure to keep pace with the city’s demographic and urban growth and future needs.